That’s the assessment of Lacey City Manager Scott Spence. The May 4 storm which hit Lacey hard, may be compared to the Columbus Day Storm of 1962 although in a significantly smaller area.

In a talk before the Gateway Rotary Club Wednesday, Spence said the damage and the force of the storm, could be comparable to that major storm of more than 50 years ago.

Hardest hit was the area in Lacey comprised of Yelm Highway, Ruddell Road, College Street and Rainier Road.

Spence listed off the statistics – – for the fifteen minute period of 4:15 to 4:30 pm, rain fell at the equivalent of 13 inches an hour. Some 46 homes were hit by falling trees, at least 75 street trees were uprooted and 56,000 people were without power, some for up to three days. He said some experts put the wind speed at nearly 100 mph.

Spence said that early response by Puget Power allowed all roads to be opened and power restored rather quickly. “Because the area hit was so small, PSE was able to get crews to the site as early as possible,” he said.

The city manager estimated that $1 million dollars in damage was done to houses hit by trees, and the cost to the city of street damage and overtime was near $300,000.

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Filing period for local elective offices starts today. I went down early and registered for a seat on the Lacey City Council – – Position Seven – – the seat currently held by Virgil Clarkson. Virgil is not running for re-election and has endorsed me for that seat.

We will make the campaign official next Tuesday when I begin my election run. At that event, Virgil will make the endorsement public.

The kickoff event will be held at Forrey’s Forza near the intersection of Marvin Road and Martin Way, beginning at 7 a.m., Tuesday, May 23. All are welcome.

Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder announced recently that the Mayor’s Gala was a great success. The event raised more than $40,000 to support the Lacey Veteran’s Services Hub

Ryder made that announcement at his recent kickoff to retain his Lacey City Council seat.

The Mayor’s Gala was part of the City of Lacey’s year-long celebration of the city’s 50th anniversary of incorporation. Money raised at the event will go to support veteran’s services provided at the Hub, which is located on the campus of the Lacey branch of South Puget Sound Community College.

There weren’t many places to play poker in Lacey back in the 1970’s. The only card room operating openly was on the floor atop Casey’s tavern. They were low stakes and open to everyone.

But, the game we all wanted to play in took place every Thursday night in a meeting room above the Red Bull Restaurant. There restaurant owner Ron McWain held a high stakes invitation only poker game. On more than one occasion, I asked Ron to let me into the game. “You can’t afford it,” he said. And I never got a seat at the table.

The names of all those who did get a seat aren’t all known, but the name of some of them are. Those names go to a story that made the rounds of local poker players for years.

It took place one Thursday night at the Red Bull. Playing in that game were many local businessmen, but the two who took the spotlight that night were Lee Bensley and Tony Swatsky. Lee owned Lee’s Restaurant on Martin Way, and a couple of apartment complexes. Swatsky owned Tony’s Jewelry.

The story goes that Lee and Tony had been going at it all evening, with one taking a hand and then another. Until that fateful moment.

The ante was $100. Lee raised the pot. Tony re-raised. Lee raised back. Tony responded in kind. Lee put all of his money into the pot. Some said it was close to $10,000. Tony called – and raised $10,000 of his own.

Lee had no more money, and no way to get access to it that evening. So, as the story goes, he put up his restaurant. Now Lee’s Restaurant wasn’t just any restaurant. Lee’s had been the first restaurant in the state to have a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise and people came from all over just to eat this new chicken treat.

Lee put up his restaurant and signed a note giving it to Tony. With the bet covered, Tony turned over his hand. Those there that night said he had three jack’s. Lee folded and mixed his losing hand with the discards.

The next morning, after the banks opened, Lee went to Tony’s store and gave him $10,000 in cash.

Now, I don’t know if that story’s true or not. Both Lee Bensley and Tony Swatsky have passed away. The house man Ron McWain, sold the Red Bull and moved to Nevada.

A few days ago, I stood on my front porch and marveled at the majesty of nature’s power, and thought of the impact it has on our lives. Streets blocked, trees down and school closed.

Nature has a way of making us seem small and insignificant.

I’ve lived in the same house in Lacey for more than 40 years. I’ve seen everything nature can throw at us. This year some 114 days with rain since last October. November is known for windstorms. One year we had winds of nearly 90 mph.

We also get snow. The winter of 1968-69 we got six feet on snow in one winter. Five years ago we had 30 inches of snow in one day. Snows like that are not common – – but it appears we get some snow event about every three years. Ice storms are also a possibility. We’ve had so much ice one year that many trees toppled and other lost their tops.

Heat isn’t often a problem – – but it can be. In 2009 we had five days with temperatures in the 100’s. With no air conditioning we suffered but we learned to cope. It’s only for a short time.

We’ve had cold also. In the 1970’s it wasn’t uncommon to have temperatures below zero. I think the coldest it got was nine below.

All of this has me thinking about the global climate change debate. Can human beings really have an impact on our weather or do we just take a short term view? The Earth’s climate changes in periods of ten thousand years – – but can make the change in just a decade.

After last week’s storm – – I marvel at human efforts to affect climate change.

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Black-robed anarchists, carrying bats and shields, made a mess of downtown Olympia yesterday, as property-owners watched the windows of their buildings broken out and other damage to private property.

How could such an activity happen in this center of peace, love and everyone’s an important and vital part of our community – – community?

There are several possible explanations. These are what I see.

We have three colleges in this community which attract young people. A small minority – – all white and all male – – see an opportunity to get rid of their rage against the world – – something that most young males have. Attracted by a community that wants to give weight to all forms of expression – – they find all protests and marches – – as the perfect vehicle to draw attention to themselves.

Then, a culture of protest under the protection of “free speech” provides the opportunity. Hardly a week goes by, that some group or other isn’t marching in the streets or gathered in groups – – protesting something. That reinforces the feeling of these anarchists, that what they’re doing is an accepted form of protest.

The city also has a police force that is hamstrung by a political culture which stops law enforcement from enforcing the laws. Anarchists know that they can get away with violence and take the opportunity to do so.

As long as its popular to protest in the streets and as long as the culture of the city stops the police from doing their job, and as long as they can get away with joining “peaceful” protest marches – – the violence is going to continue. It’s the accepted thing to do now.

Blame it on the culture of the community.

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If anything demonstrates the feelings the Lacey community has for its military – it took place Friday night at the St. Martin’s Marcus Pavilion.

More than 300 people gathered for the first ever Lacey Mayor’s Gala for the purpose of raising money to support the new Lacey Veteran’s Services Hub. The event was billed as part of the city’s 50th Birthday celebration, but became a symbol of Lacey’s support for the military.

It’s estimated that as many as 29 percent of all Lacey residents are active duty or retired military or are civilian employees of the military. Other estimated statistics claim that as much as 42 percent of all Lacey residents have some connection to the military.

The Gala recognized the previous mayor’s in the city’s history, many of whom were in attendance, but also its connection to Joint Base Lewis McChord just six miles down I-5.

Connecting the history celebration to support for the Veteran’s Hub and the military was the idea of members of the Lacey City Council, but the drive to do so came from Mayor Andy Ryder. Ryder spent considerable time and effort to make the event a success.

The amount of money raised to support the Hub is still being counted, but it seems to be substantial. However, the support of the community for the military and the military families in Lacey was well-demonstrated.

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If you’ve ever raised a teenager then you know just how difficult it is. That friendly outgoing loving child that once sat on your lap and listened intently as you read a bedtime story – – turned into a surly, foul-mouthed hateful person – – full of venom and hate for anything connected with her family.

That’s the way it is you reasoned. That’s what teenagers do. It’s just their way of pulling back and separating themselves from their parents so they can learn to be good, loving adults.

That’s what I used to think until recently that is. A few years ago I learned that a child’s brain doesn’t spring fully formed as their bodies develop. A teenagers brain is still developing, still maturing well into their 20’s. And, the last part of the brain to fully develop is the part which understands consequences.

In other words, teenagers can’t see into the future. They can’t recognize their behavior will impact them in just a few years. Their brain doesn’t allow them to see the consequences of their actions.

At 14 or 15 a teenager can think logically, just like an adult does. They can verbalize logic and even understand logic, but since her brain isn’t fully developed, there’s a disconnect between knowing and understanding.

Scientists have proven that the brain continues to produce sympathetic brain cells into the mid-20’s, which allow people to understand the impacts their actions have on others and on themselves.

So, while parts of a teenagers brain can think logically, it can’t make the connection between logic and consequences.

So, if the brain isn’t fully developed until the ages of 22 or 23, why do we let 16-year olds get behind the wheel and drive? Better yet, why do we let 18-year olds vote? Why do we let 17-year olds join the military?

Perhaps, in the past, when we didn’t know any better, it might have made sense. That’s when we thought teenagers were just young adults. Now we know better. It’s time we re-thought our conclusions regarding teenagers.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has said he will ask the city council to enact an income tax on large incomes. He says it will be only for people who make $200,000 a year. He also plans to ask for reductions in some other forms of taxes.

They re several problems with that proposal.

The State Supreme Court has previously ruled that cities cannot implement an income tax on their own. Murray is obviously hoping this liberal court will overturn that restriction.

Then, we all know that the level of $200,000 will soon be lowered to $150,000, then $100,000 and eventually extended to anyone with an income.

About reducing other taxes. We all know that taxes are never reduced for long. They too eventually rise back up to where they were initially. And, we know that taxes are never eliminated. Here’s an example. In 1919 the State of Washington put a few cents tax on each package of cigarettes sold to pay a bonus to all state residents who had served in World War I. That tax has never gone away and continues to increase every year.

The Seattle mayor is trying to get those making less than $200,000 a year to vote in the tax. Beware – – because you too will soon be paying.

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Gardens would be monotone. Debate would be monotonous. Sport would be superfluous. Politics would be dispensable.

However that’s not our world, nor has it ever been, either in flora or fauna. We homo sapiens are from different backgrounds, races, cultures and climates. We have different gifts, challenges, aspirations and IQs. We see life differently, honor our ancestors differently, pray differently and view the world differently.

Why? We’re all from different tribes. The history of our species has been blessed by the exchange of knowledge between tribes, but has also plagued by bloody tribal conflict … Sapien versus Neanderthal, Hun versus Han, Roman versus Carthaginian, Norman versus AngloSaxon. We’ve slaughtered each other marching to the martial drumbeats of tribes from pre-historic times … and if we ever hope to reach an era of true harmony, peace and prosperity, this tribal mentality has got to go!

This problem has plagued us since we started walking upright. If we ever hope to live together in harmony and peace we must forge one tribe out of all the many tribes that surround us. If we fail, we’ll simply witness another ugly chapter in the unending history of tribal warfare.

And that’s the tragedy of those who extol “diversity” for diversity’s sake. In doing so we’ve forsaken a couple of centuries of viewing our nation as a “melting pot” in which we’re ingredients in the same stew. It identifies us as members of groups, or tribes, rather than individuals, and it leads to no good for anyone.

Controversy concerning the selection process of the Lacey City Council’s replacement for Jeff Gadman continues to echo through city hall and around the community

Brady Olson, a candidate for the appointment has sent this letter to the Lacey City Council with copies to all of the eight candidates which interview for the seat.

Live Streaming of the Interviews:

Candidates that interviewed later in the process had access to the questions before their assigned time. For example Candidate A gave an interview at 5:30 and all other candidates that were to report later had access via phone, tablet, friend texting etc. to all the questions prior to their interview. The later your interview the more advantage gained because of increased time to prepare.

Voting Process:

It appeared candidates were nominated in no particular order and some council members nominated multiple candidates. Some confusion followed as Mayor Ryder asked for clarification and City Attorney gave clarification. Mayor Ryder stated that voting would go in order of nominations. Q: Were all council members aware that order of nomination was a factor? Q: Since order of nomination was a clear factor as later nominations did not even get a chance to be voted upon; was there a process to determine the order of Council Member nominations. For example 4 people had been nominated by two members before any other members even had a chance to speak or nominate a candidate. When the voting took place all members voted as many times as they wanted. Having multiple candidates nominated meant that order of nomination was extremely important. According Roberts Rule “When more than one candidate is nominated the problem with a voice vote is that those nominated first are more likely to get elected.”

I believe strongly in fairness and equity and the process on April 17, 2017 was not fair or equitable. I ask that for future appointments to the Council, consideration to the above issues be remedied. Fairness and access for all should be paramount in any democratic process.

Controversy and turmoil followed last night’s vote of the Lacey City Council to select a replacement for Jeff Gadman on the Lacey City Council.

Selected was Rachel Young, young mother of three and owner of Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes.

The controversy came when one councilmember voted twice and was assured that his vote was valid under city ordinances.

Ten candidates made their case for appointment. When all was completed the council discussed the merits of each candidate and accepted nominations. Voting for each candidate followed in order of nomination. Ken Balsley received three votes A second candidate received two votes and then Young received four votes, including one from Jason Hearn who had already voted for Balsley.

Mayor Andy Ryder ruled the vote was over and Rachel Young was selected with four votes, the others coming from Michael Steadman, Cynthia Pratt and Ryder.

Those in the audience, supporting other candidates questioned the voting procedure and the fact that one councilmember voted twice. Ryder assured the group that council rules allowed such a vote.

Outside, after the meeting, few questioned the selection of Young, but all questioned the process the council went through to make such a decision.

Gone are the tall Doug Firs which used to blot out the sky. Gone to the windstorms of November and the chainsaws of urban foresters. In their place are the Dogwoods, the Flowering Plum, the Japanese Maple – the people friendly trees with their splashes of spring color.

Gone as well are the two bedroom homes – with their one car garage – – replaced by the needs of growing families. Now asphalt driveways go nowhere, cars park on the street and those garages have been turned into bedrooms and family rooms.

Gone also, are those I used to know.

Gone are the blond-haired couple who lived next door with their two blond-haired children. Gone to new neighborhoods and new houses on cul-de-sacs with concrete lightposts and names like Avonlee, Shangrila and Heaven’s Acres.

Gone too are the couple on the other side of me – – the ones who often proved that good fences do make good neighbors.

The family that used to live across the street from me is gone as well. I saw their children grow up from tots who rode their Big Wheel on the street – to teenagers who roared up and down the road.

The man across the back fence is still there, but he has cut down the apple trees that used to hang over my side. Now the only thing that separates my yard from his yard is the view of his camper – – covered most of the year by a blue tarp.

New neighbors have moved in however – – of two types – – young and old. The young ones bring enthusiasm, energy and young children – – who once again fill the streets with laughter and large smiles.

The older ones bring a sense of finality – as though they’ve settled in – and aren’t leaving. They dig up the old lawns comprised primarily of old grass and dandelions – and replace them with new grass – dark green – and smelling sweet. They plant Rhodies and Roses and roots – – and introduce themselves – and offer to help when they see you outside working on a project that appears too much for one.

It’s changed this neighborhood of mine. And, when I think about what has been lost, I also think about what has been added, and I think – this is still a pretty good neighborhood – even if there is too much sky.

There’s no doubt that our form of government, right here in the United States, is the best form of government ever devised – – although some Millenniums aren’t so sure anymore. But, it is through our legislative process that the best interests of you and I – – the general public – – is served.

However, we have some evils in our country. Actually we have five evils – and they all have the same first name. They are – – Big Government, Big Business, Big Labor, Big Religion and Big Media.

Those five evils are in constant battle for dominance in our country. As long as the five evils fight each other then we have a period of relative calm. But, when one or more is in the ascendancy then our country in in trouble.

Because, those Big Five evils are constantly at war with one another. They sometimes gang up on one or the other, and sometimes they work together, but as long as they are all on an equal footing, then this country runs relatively smooth. But, when one or two gain dominance, then we have a problem.

During the founding of our country and into the 20th Century it was Big Business and Big Religion who were dominate. Big Labor peaked in the 40’s and 50’s then rose again at the beginning of the 21st Century with its control of one of the political parties. During the turbulent 60’s and 70’s it was Big Government and Big Media squaring off against each other. Right now Big Media is on the decline. Big Religion has reared its head off and on for the last 200 years, as citizens began to question the moral fiber of our country.

The Big Five evils are like players at a poker game. One gains and loses chips as the game progresses. One changes his method of play and rises back up, while the other players adapt to the new concept. As one has more chips it becomes more aggressive – until it over-reaches and loses a big pot. The it becomes more cautious and melds into the background, waiting again for the right cards.

As citizens, as taxpayers, it’s our responsibility to see that the Big Five have an even amount of chips. We do that through our support for one or the other by giving them more chips Our votes are our chips.

That’s our responsibility as citizens of this Democracy to make certain that all five players stay at the table with a somewhat even amount of chips. As long as they are locked in this deadly game of power, all’s right with this country.

The Lacey Fire District has received a $21,600 grant to purchase protective clothing that fire fighters must wear when they enter a burning structure.

The grant came from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

According to Fire Chief Steve Brooks, safety equipment wears out due to age as well as damage and excessive wear. Several pieces of safety equipment had already been pulled out of service.

“Having this gear is critical and essential for us to deliver fire fighting services,” Brooks said. “This generous grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation helps us meet our Mission of Service With Excellence.”

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An even dozen applicants have filed to be appointed to the Lacey City Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Jeff Gadman.

Open seats traditionally pull many aspirants who find an appointment an easier way of getting an elective office than in running against an incumbent. However, whoever gets the nod will have to run for the two year unexpired term in November.

Here are a list of those seeking the appointment listed by order of when they filed their application of interest with the city.

I love to fish. I haven’t done much of it lately. My fishing seems to run in spurts. I’ll fish everyday for one summer and then go years without fishing again.

I confine my fishing primarily to local lakes and rivers – but in my earlier years I spent a lot of time in Westport going across the bar and fishing for salmon.

I haven’t been fishing in about five years – not a single dipped line in the water. I haven’t bought a fishing license in that long either.

I’d almost given up any thoughts of fishing. So, imagine my surprise when my wife said she wanted to take me fishing. Her folks own a float house on the North River on Willipa Bay, and the salmon were running according to her dad.

I complained. I don’t have a pole and I don’t have a license. I quit buying fishing licenses when they reached over $50. The same time I stopped fishing.

Come on, she said. I”ll take you out and buy you a fishing license and a new pole. How could I resist? We went to Cabela’s. I gave them my driver’s license, answered a couple of questions and in a few minutes I had my fishing license. And, get this, it only cost my wife $15. I had a reduced fee because I was over the age of 70. Great so far.

Then we went into the fishing section, where Bill waited on us. My wife told him she wanted a good pole with a good reel – – and all the stuff that goes with it.

Bill said he had never met a woman who encouraged her husband to buy more fishing gear.

So, after considerable money, we left the store and the next day we went to our fishing spot.

After five hours of fishing – – three of them trying to untangle my fishing line – – I got a bite. Never landed a single fish.

(Editors note: Many people helped make Lacey what it has become. This is the story of a couple, Ann and Harvey Mayse and their contribution to this community)

Before he retired, Lt. Col. Harvey Mayse was the executive office at Ft. Lewis. After a long career in the military he and his wife Ann bought property at Beachcrest and began their involvement in Lacey.

Harvey had formed a loose group of military officers who pooled their money and purchased property and created businesses around Ft. Lewis. But, since Harvey lived in Lacey, he focused his attention locally.

Harvey’s biggest problem is that he could see the future, he could even step a foot into the future – – but he was never able to fully manage the future.

He understood the significance of Woodland Square to the future of Lacey and his investment group purchased the property. Development of the area fell to others, as Harvey’s investment group eventually sold the property – I assume for a profit.

He joined hands with Ron Rowe and Norm Krueger to form KMR, the company which developed Rowe Six. The complex was originally planned as a retail shopping center – – but economic conditions weren’t right and it eventually became an office center, with most buildings leased to various state agencies. (The property is now the home of the Lacey branch of South Puget Sound Community College).

Harvey turned his attention to technology and received the first contract to supply cable television service in Lacey. That too eventually fell into the hands of others.

He next turned his attention to banking and came up with the idea of a local bank to fund local projects and was the founder of Lacey Bank, Later First Community Bank and later Venture Bank. Operations of the bank were taken out of his hands early on. A stockholders fight saw him lose control of the bank’s future.

Harvey was a visionary but was unable to bring most of his visions to fruition. Nevertheless he saw a future for Lacey and set the stage for what was to come.

While Harvey was putting his visions into action, his wife Ann began her involvement in the Lacey community. She started a small business selling slightly used clothing but eventually gave it up for volunteer work.

Ann was deeply involved in the Lacey Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer and worked for years as the main source of volunteer activity for the chamber.

She was active in the local Republican Party – which still had some sway in the county. She served in some leadership capacities with the local GOP and attended at least one national convention.

But it was her involvement with the Lacey Civic Committee which cemented her reputation as a woman who could get things done.

The Lacey Civic Committee built the “Welcome to Lacey” sign and the Lacey Historical Museum. Ann’s involvement was important and significant and always behind the scenes. She never seemed to want attention and did her work softly and gently without a great deal of drama.

After Harvey died, Ann moved away to Texas to live with one of her sons, before returning back to Lacey where she passed away in 2014 – seldom recognized for her efforts to improve her community.

Will Lacey become the site of the City of Olympia’s new Waste Management Operations Center?

This week, Olympia is meeting with Thurston County officials for a pre-submission conference on developing eight and a half acres of land on Carpenter Road into the new facility to house its 18 garbage trucks and other waste hauling equipment. So, why deal with the county when the property is on Carpenter Road – – because the property is not in Lacey, but in the county?

The property is in Lacey’s Urban Growth Area and will eventually be in the City of Lacey, but right now its City of Olympia owned property in Thurston County. The land in question is the old City of Olympia shooting range right off Martin Way on Carpenter. It has been owned by the Olympia for decades. Shooting at the range was phased out about two years ago.

The City of Olympia’s proposal is to build in two phases. Phase One will include offices, covered parking, a fueling station for the city’s 18 garbage trucks and other fleet vehicles. Also in Phase One will be a repair area, wash station and maintenance shop. Phase Two will consist of a tipping wall, collection bins and containers for waste.

City of Lacey Public Works Director Scott Egger said the city has no concerns about Olympia’s proposed project. Lacey is providing water to the site.

While Lacey has no current plans to annex the property in the near future, the property will eventually become part of Lacey.